The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan has opened applications for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program. The fully funded program offers Pakistani high school students a chance to study in the United States.
The exchange program is scheduled to begin in January 2027. Selected students will spend the spring semester with American host families. They will also attend local high schools during their stay.
The program aims to promote cultural understanding and international connections. Students will also take part in activities focused on leadership and personal development.
Participants will explore topics such as culture, governance, business and innovation. The experience is designed to help young students gain new skills and perspectives.
Who Can Apply for the YES Program?
The YES Program is open to eligible students from Pakistan. Applicants must meet specific age, academic and educational requirements.
Students must be between 15 and 17 years old on January 1, 2027. They must have been born between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2012.
Applicants must currently study in 8th, 9th or 10th grade. Students enrolled in O Levels in Pakistan can also apply.
Applicants must have achieved at least 60 percent during each of the previous three academic years. They must also have at least 60 percent in major subjects.
These subjects include English, Mathematics and Sciences. Students must not have received failing grades during the previous three academic years.
Applicants must also be able to communicate effectively in English. They must be Pakistani citizens and currently live in Pakistan.
O Level students in 9th or 10th grade are eligible. However, students in O Level 11th grade cannot apply.
Students who took a gap year or repeated an academic year are not eligible. Those who finish secondary school before the program starts also cannot participate.
Important Eligibility Restrictions
Applicants must meet all requirements for a J-1 exchange visa. They must also have never traveled to the United States before.
Dual nationals are excluded from the program. Children and siblings of previous YES Program participants are also not eligible.
Children and siblings of staff members from the Society for International Education and iEARN Pakistan are also excluded.
How Pakistani Students Can Apply
Eligible students can start their applications through the official YES Program website. Applicants should first check their eligibility before selecting the “Apply Now” option.
The application must be completed online. Students must then print the form and sign it by hand.
Completed applications and supporting documents must be submitted through post or courier. Applicants should ensure that all required documents are included.
Students must provide school-attested copies of their final mark sheets. These should cover the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.
Applicants must also provide a copy of one valid identification document. Acceptable documents include a NADRA B-Form, Smart Card, FRC or birth certificate.
Applications should be sent to:
YES Program: Spring Semester 2027 Application
Society for International Education
88-H, P.E.C.H.S. Block-6, Karachi
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications is September 15, 2026. Students should complete their forms carefully before the deadline.
Incomplete or unsigned applications may not be considered. Incorrectly submitted applications may also face rejection.
The YES Program follows a competitive, merit-based selection process. Selected students will receive the opportunity to experience education and culture in the United States.
The program was established by the U.S. Congress in October 2002. Its goal is to strengthen connections between young people in the United States and participating countries.
In other related news also read UWC Pakistan Opens 2027 Applications With Scholarships
For eligible students in Pakistan, the exchange can provide valuable academic and cultural exposure. It can also help participants develop leadership skills and build international friendships.
